Multi optically-coupled channels module and related methods of computation

1. An integrated multi-channel optical module for controllably mapping sets of input light signals onto sets of output light signals, the optical module comprising: at least two optical channels configured to allow directional propagation of light therein, wherein at least one of said optical channels is an amplification channel configured to allow amplification of light propagating therein by a controllable amplification factor; at least two input ports, individually associated with said at least two optical channels, configured to allow transmission of input light signals into said optical channels; at least one output port optically associated with one of said optical channels, configured to allow emission of an output light signal from said one optical channel; at least one control port functionally associated with said amplification channel and configured to allow inputting a control signal to said amplification channel to determine said amplification factor; wherein said optical channels are optically coupled so that a power of an output light signal emitted from said output port is a function of powers of said at least two input light signals transmitted through said at least two input ports, wherein said optical module is a multi-core optical module comprising at least two cores configured to allow directional propagation of light therein, wherein at least one of said cores is an amplification core, wherein said input ports, output ports and control ports comprise exposed ends of said at least two cores, and wherein said at least two cores are optically coupled through evanescent wave coupling.

2. The optical module of claim 1 , comprising at least two output ports optically associated with said at least two optical channels respectively.

3. The optical module of claim 2 comprising M output ports optically associated with M of said at least two optical channels, and N input ports optically associated with N of said at least two optical channels, wherein 2ã‰αM<N.

4. The optical module of claim 1 , wherein the at least one amplification core is configured to amplify a λ1 light—being light at a first wavelength λ1 propagating therethrough—by a controllable amplification factor determined by a power of a λ2 light—being light at a second wavelength λ2—propagating therethrough simultaneously with the λ1 light.

5. The optical module of claim 4 wherein said amplification core is doped with ions excitable by the λ2 light and spontaneously emitting upon relaxation the λ1 light.

6. The optical module of claim 4 wherein said multi-core optical module is a multi-core optical fiber.

7. The optical module of claim 4 wherein said multi-core optical module is a multi-core photonic crystal.

8. The optical module of claim 4 wherein said λ2 light has a wavelength of about 980 nm and said λ1 light has a wavelength of about 1550 nm.

9. The optical module of claim 1 wherein said optical module is a photonic crystal comprising a body bounded by faces and comprising a periodic structure of a dielectric material, and comprising optical channels defined by line defects in said periodic structure formed as tunnels therethrough, said optical channels comprise amplification channels configured to controllably amplify a light signal propagating therethrough, wherein said optical channels merge in junctions, thereby optically couple and forming a net extending continuously in between said faces, said net comprising at least two input ports on said faces, configured to enable transmission of input light signals to at least two optical channels of the net, and at least one output port on said faces enabling to emit an output light signal from said optical channel of the net.

10. The optical module of claim 9 wherein said body is a slab and said periodic structure of dielectric material comprises an array of hollow tubes extending between two faces of said slab being thereby periodic in two dimensions.

11. The optical module of claim 9 wherein said periodic structure of dielectric material is periodic in 3 dimensions and said photonic crystal is a 3D photonic crystal.

12. An optical computation device comprising the optical module of claim 1 , an array of controllable light sources, said light sources being selectively optically associated with said input ports, and light detectors being selectively optically associated with said output ports, and a control signals interface functionally associated with said control ports, and a controller functionally associated with said light sources, light detectors and control signals interface, said optical computation device being configured to produce a calculation by inputting input signals and control signals to said optical module and obtaining output signals therefrom said output signals being a function of said input signals, said function being determined by said control signals.

13. An artificial neural network comprising the optical computation device of claim 12 and a processor functionally associated with a memory and with said controller and configured to implement a learning algorithm.

14. The optical computation device of claim 12 wherein said light sources comprise a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) for generating a multitude of controlled light beams individually optically associated with said input ports, respectively.

15. The optical computation device of claim 12 wherein said SLM is a Digital micro Mirrors array Device (DMD).

16. The optical module of claim 1 , configured to switch functionality between an OR gate and an AND gate of the at least two cores thereby establishing a Field-Programmable Gate Array.